Business English Flashcards
A tough break
I had some tough breaks lately, between losing my job and breaking up with my boyfriend just two weeks later.
When something unfortunate happens, it can be called a “tough break.”
ahead of the curve
Knowing a large number of languages allows me to be ahead of the curve among other colleagues.
To be “ahead of the curve” means to be more advanced than the competition.
ahead of the pack
If I want to stay ahead of the pack, I need to be more industrious.
To be “ahead of the pack” means to be better or more successful than the competition.
at stake
My promotion is at stake.
“At stake” means at risk.
back to square one
When I got home, I had to be back to square one.
To go “back to square one” means to start something over again.
back to the drawing board
1
If the prototype doesn’t work, we will have to go back to the drawing board.
To go “back to the drawing board” means to start something over and go back to the planning stage.
backroom deal
3
I would have become a millionaire two years ago if I had had a backroom deal then.
I think they got the government contract because of a backroom deal.
A “backroom deal” is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.
ballpark number/figure
0
If I don’t know the value of an item, I give a ballpark number as a game.
I’m not sure what a Super Bowl commercial costs, but to give you a ballpark figure I’d say about three million dollars.
A “ballpark number” is a very inexact estimate.
behind the scenes
2
I would thank them for their work if I knew how hard they work behind the scenes.
What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen “behind the scenes.”
big picture
2
If I saw the big picture, I would understand how I should act in this situation.
Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called “the big picture.”
blue collar
0
If the white collar does the work with the hands, he calls the blue collar.
A “blue collar worker” is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.).
The opposite is a “white collar worker.” A white collar worker is someone who works in an office (customer service, management, sales, etc.). “Blue collar” (and “white collar”) can also be used to describe a job, position, or a place. It’s a blue collar town with a lot of farmers and factory workers.
by the book
3
If we had drawn up the contract like by the book, we would not have failed the deal.
To do things “by the book” means to do things according to company policy or the law.
It means to follow the rules 100%. We are regularly audited by several regulatory agencies. It’s important that we do everything by the book.
call it a day
1
If I feel sick at work, I immediately call it a day.
To “call it a day” means to decide to stop working for the day.
